ny people, when they know an Indian is on their
trail, prefer to end matters themselves, rather than live in constant
suspense and fear."

"I have yet to live in suspense or fear of any man," returned Donald
significantly.

"Now, Captain McTavish," the factor said, "will you please state
what took you to the edge of the camp last night during a storm of
such fierceness?"

"It was a private matter, solely, and I do not care to divulge it,"
was the unsatisfactory reply.

"More may depend upon this than you think," warned the factor,
pawing at his beard with the old, familiar gesture. "I advise
you to tell."

"I refuse to do so, but give you my word of honor that I had no
thought of Tom in mind. In fact, I had forgotten all about him.
But I did hear the shot. It was not very distant, and I was not
sure what the noise was. I waited for another, but none came."

For another half-hour, the factor grilled his victim for further
information. But in vain. Then, furious at his failure, he ordered
McTavish placed under guard without parole, and in the next breath
commanded a second log cabin to be built as a jail wherein to
confine the prisoner.

"You have defied me long enough, McTavish," he snarled, his eyes
gleaming with an ugly light, "and, by the eternal, you shall pay
for this. I'll make an example of you that the North country will
not forget in years. Already, you deserve punishment for breaking
out of Fort Severn; this is the last straw. We'll see whether the
Company can be set at naught by every underling in its employ."

"What do you intend to do?" Donald asked.

"I shall try you on this charge of murder."

"How can you try me on such a charge when you are here avowedly at
war? Tom, being the half-brother of Charley Seguis, naturally is an
enemy. Men at war can't be tried for murder, if they kill an enemy."

"Indian Tom wasn't killed in battle; he was far beyond our sentry
lines. Your technicality has no weight," retorted the factor,
grimly. "I am resolved that this crime shall not go unpunished,
just as I am resolved that Charley Seguis shall pay the penalty
for the death of Cree Johnny, if I can ever lay hands on him. You
shall have a fair trial, as is your due; but justice shall run
its course."

"How soon will this travesty take place?" asked McTavish bitterly.

The factor restrained his temper with difficulty.

"As soon as possible," he declared savagely. Then, turning to the
others present, he